"What I can tell you about this situation is I look at this situation like for some players when they play well, or somebody that the coach wants from another club," Silva told journalists today. "For me, now this is a case for the board and the owners to discuss the situation. For me it is a normal situation, I understand the question."

Asked if he wanted to talk to Everton but was being prevented from doing so, he responded: "I don't answer this question. I read many many things in the week. I need to talk with my owner, my board and my players as well. I do my job normally during the week.

"I don't want to talk about Everton. I am here to talk about the West Ham match. If you want to talk to me about Everton, it's not the club where I work."

Everton are currently 15th place in the table, two points above the relegation zone.